Review

In 1992 Rage Against The Machine released a 12 song cassette, it would sell 5,000 copies. On November 6, 1992, after only being together for a year, RATM released their first album Rage Against The Machine on Epic Records; in less than two years it would go platinum (one million copies sold) in America and six other nations around the world.

Rage Against The Machine are what some would call extreme left or anarchist but they are more than that, they're a band that influenced the political minds of the Baby Boomers' children beginning with their self-titled album. Zack de la Rocha introduces a generation influenced heavily by bands like the immortal Nirvana with a strict concept of writing songs only about awareness and action. With his screaming, rage-filled lyrics of political activism Rocha joins with a Harvard grad, Tom Morello, to create music like no one had ever heard. The skill that Morello posseses with a guitar sets him among the greats such as Hendrix and Page. On page seven of the booklet of Rage Against The Machine it states in large print, "No samples, keyboards or synthesizers used in the making of this recording," meaning those insane, alien-like guitar riffs you hear are the true cords of Morello. A perfect example of Rage that everyone recognizes from their debut album is "Wake Up," the song used in "The Matrix" as Neo takes flight; but more important is the prime example of Rochas' lyrics proclaiming, "How long, not long, 'cause what you reap is what you sow," at the end of the track, leaving the listener with questions of why he hasn't taken action against injustice.

Rage Against The Machine has the radio hits to sell the record, "Killing In The Name" and "Bullet In The Head," coupled with tracks of activist empowerment, "Take The Power Back" and the funky trashcan percussion track "Township Rebellion." Although the lyrics seem to be occasionally lacking, RATM land a high three stars on their debut into the mainstream.

Review by Rob Todd

3 out of 5